Aspen Summer Trees © lynette sheppard

“Ick! I’m not eating those!” I told my grandmother. “I’ll eat them,” crowed  my little brother, human garbage receptacle and eternal suckup. “They’re just giant raisins.” When we were kids visiting Grandma, she always served us prunes for breakfast. She claimed they were “good for us.”

Turns out Grandma is the one who should have been eating them. Recent research reveals that prunes (or as they are now more politically correctly named “dried plums”) prevent osteoporosis and promote healthy bones.

A group of researchers from Florida State and Oklahoma State University conducted a study using two groups of postmenopausal women. Over a 12-month period, the first group of 55 women, was instructed to consume 100 grams of dried plums (about 10 prunes) each day, while the second  control group of 45 women — was told to consume 100 grams of dried apples. All of the study’s participants also received daily doses of calcium (500 milligrams) and vitamin D (400 international units).
The group that consumed dried plums had significantly higher bone mineral density in the ulna (one of two long bones in the forearm) and spine, when compared with the control group that ate dried apples. This, according to researchers, was due in part to the ability of dried plums to suppress the rate of bone resorption, or the breakdown of bone, which tends to exceed the rate of new bone growth as people age.
“Over my career, I have tested numerous fruits, including figs, dates, strawberries and raisins, and none of them come anywhere close to having the effect on bone density that dried plums, or prunes, have,” said Bahram H. Arjmandi, Florida State’s Margaret A. Sitton Professor and chairman of the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in the College of Human Sciences. “All fruits and vegetables have a positive effect on nutrition, but in terms of bone health, this particular food is exceptional.”

“Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the 5 to 7 years after menopause, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. And here might be a remedy without side effects save a little more regularity? I’m game.

So I’m off to the grocery store to buy a bunch of prunes…er dried plums. I think I could grow to like them. If not, I can always ship them off to lil bro.

Two new films are out on the Big M and having seen both, here’s the Menopause Goddess take on them.

Managing Menopause Naturally gives in depth information on all aspects of the Change, demystifying without pushing any one alternative. I really like that about it. Experts in the complementary health field, herbalists, nutritionists, MD’s, and midwifes discuss what to expect and all remedies. Despite the title, this film does not rule out hormone replacement therapy. Rightly, it claims that all women are different and that each menopause transition is individual. There are no one -size-fits-all therapies. Best of all, real women approaching and experiencing the Menopause journey are featured discussing their fears and what has worked for them.

This is a must see for pre-menopausal women. In other words, see it while you still have brain function enough to sit still and focus for 80 minutes. And if you are already experiencing brain fog? Well, watch it in manageable pieces – say four 20 minute segments.

The only negative about this film for me was was its lack of humor. That is a personal bias of mine to be sure. I feel that humor and the support of like-afflicted girlfriends is the MAIN thing that will get you through. That said, it really is helpful to have some information to go along with the belly laughs.

My favorite menopausal woman-expert in the film is Tierona Low Dog, MD, AHG. This no nonsense herbalist, midwife, biochemist and mother tells it like it is. I love her. When I grow up, I want to be her. Just sayin’….

Managing Menopause Naturally is available from TrueMind, a documentary film company dedicated to healthy living, environmental wellness and personal development.  List price is $19.98, but you can get it on Amazon for $12.60. Even better, you can watch it for $4.99 on their website:  True Mind.   For those of us who want to watch it in segments, $4.99 gets you access for 48 hours.

The Venuses previewed “Hot Flash Havoc” together at our annual meeting.  This feature is billed as “a film of menopausal proportions” with “Commotions, emotions, and magical potions.” With excitement and in our most comfy jammies, we settled in to watch.

Good news: it was informative – and we especially enjoyed the historical narrative illuminating menopause through the ages. It did a great job of explaining the physiological changes as well. And there was a fair amount of humor.

Bad news: We all felt that there was a hidden agenda to the film: namely that “hormone therapy is necessary to get through menopause and prevent many of the hazards of aging (eg. osteoporosis, heart disease.)

There were experts and real women as there were in Managing Menopause Naturally. Some legitimate points were made about flaws in the Women’s Health Initiative study that scared so many women off and away from HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy.) My holistic MD told me right off the bat that there were flaws in the study. Still, we both feel that long term HRT is likely not risk free or even desirable.

At the very beginning of this film, a disclaimer purports that “no pharmaceutical companies were involved in the production of this motion picture.”  It’s interesting that the filmmakers felt it necessary to clarify that point, lending credence to our feeling that this was a “one right answer” film.
In the end, we would have to say that we would not recommend this film without the caveat that it seemed focused on HRT as the answer for menopause and beyond. And honestly? We just don’t feel that that is true. HRT is an answer. For some women. For some time.  And probably not forever. That said, the film is available on their website: Hot Flash Havoc.  It lists for $24.99 and is available direct on their site for $19.99.  Amazon sells it for the full list price of $24.99. Only the trailers can be viewed on the site.

Those of you who have purchased The Big M or the ebook version Becoming A Menopause Goddess know that in that chronicle of wisdom we’ve gleaned together, we offer our best humor, heart, and help to our sister goddesses. And in 2012, we will begin offering a series of short YouTube videos to augment the book and keep you all up to date on what we learn in our Venus group together. And we will exhort you to start your own group, as always.

Old Window Reflecting Tree © lynette sheppard

Dry skin, dry tender parts, and now dry eyes. Sure enough, just about everything dries up as we move further into the autumn of our lives. My eye doctor has me using over the counter lubricating drops and I gotta say, my eyes feel a whole lot better.

We were talking at our most recent goddess gathering about which of our senses we would most hate to lose (a little morbid, I know, but we talk about EVERYTHING at our meetings). We were evenly divided between sight and hearing, although the consensus was that we love our senses more than ever at this time of life and hope to lose none of them. For now, we are going to appreciate them. And take care of our precious sense organs so that they provide us joy and connection for the second half of our lives.

With that in mind, please enjoy this guest post by Brett Oliveira that illuminates dry eye syndrome.

Dry Eyes as You Age
Dry eyes, the result of impaired tear production from the lacrimal glands (tear ducts), are a common problem among those who have allergies and naturally lack the standard amount of eye moisture many take for granted. This problem is most commonly found in groups of people over the age of 50 who have endured a lifetime’s worth of sun exposure, air contaminants and macular degeneration.
As the body ages, it produces less tears, making the eyes vulnerable to infection. These tears are a solution of oils, proteins and electrolytes that are essentially the antibodies of your eyes.  A noticeable symptom of dry eyes, ironically enough, is the excessive production of these tears at one time. Much like how the body senses starvation and packs on the pounds as a result, the body acknowledges when there isn’t enough moisture lubricating the eyes and produces mass quantities of tears in an attempt to remedy the problem.
This condition, alternatively known as keratoconjunctivitis, is generally both a direct and indirect product of aging. Because of hormonal changes, a female who has just phased out of menopause is much more likely to experience dry eye syndrome. Sufferers of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders also are 50% more likely to feel the effects of dry eyes due to decreased corneal sensation. All of these medical conditions tend to be associated with old age, meaning the odds of experiencing dry eyes between the ages of 50-65 are that much higher.
In addition to other medical conditions causing dry eyes, certain medications have a reputation for causing the disorder. Common drugs such as ibuprofen and high blood pressure medications are known to induce dry eyes.
All the same, those who have not entered the age bracket of 50-65 should not feel that they’re in the clear. A total of 11% of those between the ages of 30-60 are said to suffer from dry eyes, with impacts being felt more harshly with incoming generations who have experienced new reasons to be concerned about potential tear reduction. People entering the 30-60 age bracket have lived through the digital age, where staring at a computer monitor and other eye-drying light-based monitors that are known to be harmful when used for an extended period of time.
As layers of tear glands diminish with age, it is recommended that an eye doctor be consulted to recommend eye drops or, in some cases, procedures to block tear ducts that serve as a deposit for disposal of excess tears.
About the Author
Brett Oliveira works with BuyMoreContacts.com, where you can buy contact lenses at discount prices. BuyMoreContacts.com offers a variety of contacts, including lenses such as Proclear toric and Acuvue Oasys.

I love menopausal women. After we get over the “WTF” reaction, a desire to help our sisters have an easier time with the Pause kicks in. Hence sites like Minnie Pauz and our own Menopause Goddess Blog.

Bonnie Stern is a Menopause Goddess who suffered from the pain and dryness so often associated with intimacy during and after this transition. She co-created an organic, hormone-free, paraben-free product called Sex Butter to counteract this problem.

Lucky me, Bonnie sent me a couple of samples of this terrific healing, essential oil based butter. Oh yes, it is wonderful. And it has received the handsome hubby blue ribbon seal of approval as well. Look for it in the Menopause Marketplace soon or click here to visit Bonnie’s site now.

Remember, the first step to recovering that libido is to show up naked with a smile on your face. The second step is to add essential lubrication to counteract vaginal dryness. The other steps are up to you. Reclaim your sensuality with a little Sex Butter.

Lana Abrams, one of our favorite Menopause Goddess entrepreneurs, is having a summer sale. For a limited time, all her Mulberry West mulberry silk products are on sale for 25% off! With free shipping!

The summer heat has finally set in and a lightweight but cozy comforter is just the ticket for a restful night’s sleep. Heck, I’m going to buy one for myself!
Here’s the link to the sale: Mulberry West Summer Sale.

Here’s wishing you all a summer that is not too hot nor too dry.

Blossoming © lynette sheppard

Menopause waylaid my daily life, bringing heat and chaos. But it has brought more gifts than difficulties overall. Our goddess group, new and deeper relationships, this blog with its expanded community of like-afflicted women, and a new found sense of self are among the positive changes accompanying the Change. It’s not sarcasm to say that the Big M has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. So far.

Sure, given the choice, I’d forego the hot flashes, chin hair, weight gain, and myriad other weirdnesses perpetrated on my unprepared, unsuspecting body, mind, and spirit. Still, if it meant that I wouldn’t have the gifts I’ve been showered with, well…I guess I’d choose to have the full meal deal all over again. I’m just sayin’…….

One of the unexpected pleasures of writing this blog (and contributing to great sites like Vibrant Nation, Jane Nation, Women’s Health Foundation, Wellsphere, and Examiner.com) has been the influx of information about new, great products designed to ease the journey of the menopausal woman. Our voices have been raised and we’ve been answered, it seems.

In this blog post, I’ll spotlight a few of the latest products to catch my interest.  Some of the creators have indeed sent me a sample to try. I’m telling you this because apparently it has been mandated that bloggers/reporters disclose receipt of a sample, in case we are telling you about this just to get a free whatever. Like anyone would want to need these products……… There, you’ve been forewarned. And I promise not to B.S. about any of these. Enough said.

Aloe Cadabra is a natural personal lubricant, made as the name suggests, from 95% organic aloe. It’s a wonderful adjunct to intimacy for the menopausal woman (and I just love the name.) We’ll be sharing more about the importance of lubricants in a  blog post in the near future, where Theresa Venus shares an  personal experience important to all menopause goddesses. For now, visit Aloe Cadabra’s website (www.aloecadabra.com) to find out more about this great product.

Down is not a menopause goddess’s best friend. It can contribute to hot flashing, especially at night. (Watch out for those down pillows and comforters, ladies.) Still, what are we going to use for bedding, where we want as much comfort as possible?

Enter Lana Abrams, a menopause goddess who started a new line of comfortable bedding when she started to “heat up” at age 50. Her mulberry silk comforters and blankets are naturally wicking and cooling while they keep us warm.  Her company is called Mulberry West.

Mulberry silk is a natural fiber that contributes to temperature control, repels dust mites and bedbugs, repels mold and mildew, and lasts longer than down or synthetics. And it meets the luxury requirement, too. I don’t have one of these yet, but I am going to order one. There’s lots more information on her site: visit http://www.mulberrywest.net/. With sleep at a premium these days, we almost can’t afford not to have one.

Most of you know that I am a HUGE fan of anything that has no side effects and is a natural treatment for hot flashes and other manifestations of The Big M. Ladycare is a UK based company that has just begun offering its non-invasive, alternative therapy for menopause in the US.

Basically, it is a magnetic device worn in the pelvic area.  Clinical trials in the UK showed 33-67% of women reporting significant reduction  or complete relief from hot flashes and myriad other Big M symptoms using this device.

Magnetic therapies have long been used for pain relief and other maladies. So it’s no surprise that it might be useful in menopause treatment.

Ladycare sent me one of these to try and I’ve just begun wearing it. Like most natural remedies, it likely will take a few days to a couple weeks to reach full effect, so I will keep you all posted on my results. I will say this, it is really pretty. For whatever that’s worth. Find out more on their website: www.ladycareusa.com.

All these products will be featured on the Menopause Marketplace, just as soon as my webmaster and I can upload the info. Let us know any experiences you have with these or other great “helps” so we may share with our sister goddesses.

Hot Red Ginger

Is it hot in here or is it just me? Girlfriends, it appears the latest hot flash research blog entry hit a nerve for many of our sister goddesses. One comment thread on Facebook had us rolling on the floor, clutching our sides and gasping from the laugh attacks.

As goddess Michelle G. MD shared, “Dude! We got ZERO education on menopause in medical school. THIS SUCKS!! If Pfizer can give a man an erection, can’t they come up with a way to make me stop sweating in a 50 degree room?”

Yeah, baby. What she said!!! I got a whole paragraph in my 1200 page women’s health textbook in nursing school. “Menopause is the cessation of monthly cycles in females and the end of reproductive function.” Just how that was supposed to be helpful, I haven’t a clue.

Thankfully, our generation of women is not quiet or complacent. We are taking matters into our own hands by sharing our voices and being proactive about our health. We might be sweaty, we might be cranky, we might be weepy. We will be heard.

With that in mind, Menopause Goddess Blog is partnering with At Last Naturals sponsoring a contest to get your best hot flash story. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Sharing our stories is one of the ways we get through the Big M. It helps us realize that we are NORMAL and that we will get through this transition. With a little help from our girlfriends.

Here’s the details:
They can be funny, irritating, poignant, or embarrassing. Hot flashes take the prize as the signature symptom of Menopause. Here’s your chance to get even. Share your favorite hot flash story or experience and win $120 worth of natural products for women from At Last Naturals.

Your story can be absolute truth or fiction, prose or poetry, 10 words or 1000, your own experience or seen through the eyes of another. Like your husband. Or your cat. Anything goes. Think of this as therapy – really cheap therapy where at best you win a prize and at worst you offer up a written commiseration for the benefit of Menopause Goddesses everywhere.

At Last Naturals are a line of natural products for women, created by a woman, to help us through these transitions and restore our bodies to balance. They sent a box for our review, which I immediately shipped off to one of our Menopause Goddesses who is just going through H-E-L-L with her perimenopause. She has promised to give us a full report.

In the meantime, to find out more, visit At Last Naturals web page and/or like them on their Facebook page. And they will be in our Menopause Marketplace very soon.

Okay, sharpen those pencils or warm up that keyboard and  send your hot flash story to me at lynette@9points.com. You may also  post it in the comment section here on the blog. Winner will be announced March 31. Women sharing wisdom (and wise ass humor). That’s what we are all about.

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Flame On © lynette sheppard

I’m a hottie. There, I said it. I’m not a Demi Moore, cougariific kind of hottie, though. I’m a middle aged, newly slender, boiling in my own casing kind of hottie.  No frog in the frying pan here, gradually warming, adjusting as she goes, wondering what all the fuss is about.

No, no, no. The Big M flung my little froggie self into a scalding hot, non stick, anodized cauldron from hell – so I was most painfully aware that I was freaking hot.

That said, there may be a smidgeon of good news. A new study suggests that women whose hot flashes began early in the Pause, but not later seemed to have a lower risk for heart disease and death than those who never boiled in their own skins or those who developed flashes later.

My hot flashes were just short of self immolation when I first began this journey. They tapered off enough to allow me to begin decreasing my bioidentical HRT in hopes of ceasing it altogether. My plan was to get rid of my tiny, half patch by April.

Then I had to go and mess with the delicate balance I had achieved by going on the HCG diet and losing that turkey that had taken up residence around my middle zones.

Is it possible that one can be too thin!? Especially if she is post menopausal?! ? Because my new svelte self has begun having hot flashes. Again. Feel them again for the first time. Sheesh.

These power surges are not nearly as horrific as the early ones, but they are certainly present and accounted for. Dewitt gave me a hug the other morning and noted, “Ooh, clammy girl is back.” So I’m wondering if my April target date might have to be pushed a bit.

I’m pretty sure that the new research findings don’t include a category for early-hot-flashes-diminished-over-time-with-spontaneous-return-post-turkey-loss-no-end-in-sight-just-yet. So I’m not sure if the latest study is good news, bad news, or no news in my case. The Big M is still mostly uncharted territory, but we are definitely becoming expert orienteers, mapping the way for ourselves and our sister goddesses.

So stay tuned. Menopause is not just a soap opera. It’s the real never ending story. For now, I’m going out and looking for my luck dragon.

Ti leaves © lynette sheppard

Unlike when my friend, Dee Adams of Minnie Pauz fame, began writing about the Big M over 16 years ago, a plethora of menopause sites are to be found on the web. This is good and this is bad.

Good – lots of information is available at your fingertips. We are actually learning daily about this journey and how to travel it with grace and coolness.

Bad – it’s confusing, contradictory, and occasionally there is more selling going on than informing.

Emman Sioco of everythingmenopause.com writes a guest post for us this week, distilling a few essential truths about the menopause journey. For more info on any of these topics, (HRT, exercise, etc.) just type it into the Search box here on Menopause Goddess Blog to get our longer, less politically correct take on it.

And if the Search box gets cranky and doesn’t like the search words you picked? Write us by clicking the contact us button on the left margin of the home page and we’ll get you the links to the appropriate articles.

(I personally think the Search box is related to Google by marriage or something and she is capricious at times. HRT info? Why didn’t you say so? You should have typed in Hormone Replacement Therapy, then I would have honored your request.)

At any rate, please enjoy our guest blogger, Emman Sioco, of everythingmenopause.com

“All about Menopause”

“With menopause, each woman is very different.  While there are some rough guidelines and symptoms you can read, the symptoms of each menopausal woman will be entirely different from the next.  Some women blow through menopause without a single symptom, while others have every symptom in the book and maybe some others too.

When you understand that each woman is different, you will understand that what worked for your sister or best friend, may not work for you.  While this can be frustrating these are the facts and there are some resources you can use to help you get through this tough time and maybe even laugh about it along the way.

Exercise can help with some of the symptoms of menopause.  Tiredness is a common symptom of menopause and when you exercise each day your body will release endorphins.  This can help you to get through the rest of your day feeling energized.
When you exercise you are likely to eat better and this can help to feel better and have more energy.  There are many foods out there that are loaded with anti oxidants and this can give you more strength and stamina to get through each day.

Hormone replacement therapy is something that many women try at some point.  If your symptoms are severe, HRT may really help.  You should never give up on your personal hormone replacement therapy program too quickly. It can take 2-3 weeks for you to really see if this can help.  You do not have to simply deal with menopause and you can take your life back.

If you have tried HRT and a particular type did not work for you, it can be worth it to give another type of hormone replacement therapy a try.  Natural symptom relief is something that has made leaps and bounds.  There are some great natural remedies that boast less risk and can be very helpful in relieving some of the most common symptoms.

Your girlfriends can be your partners in this journey.  It is likely that someone in your group of friends is experiencing menopausal symptoms and this can be a wonderful way to exchange stories.  You can also talk to these friends about treatments that have worked.

Getting through menopause is one of the most accomplished things that you may do.  Menopause does not have to take over your life and there are some ways that you can take control of your symptoms.”

I’ve frequently jumped upon my soapbox and railed at the dearth of research on Menopause. Now here’s a chance for Hawai`i Menopause Goddesses to potentially be a part of the solution.

Dear friend and sister goddess Dee Adams of  Minnie Pauz fame sent me this info on a study being conducted in Honolulu, Hawai`i. (BTW, if you haven’t checked out her hilarious, poignant cartoons on the Pause, you must click here.)

Here’s the request from the research company:
Covance Clinical Research Study Opportunity

Healthy?  Past Menopause
Generations of women have helped test investigational medications by participating in clinical research studies.  You could help too.
To qualify for research study  8232-584 involving an investigational medication you must be:

- A healthy postmenopausal woman
- Able to stay at Covance for 2 nights / 3 days and make 22 outpatient visits

Participants will receive all study-related exams at no cost and compensation $3750 for time and participation.
Think you can help? Great!  Then call 808-441-6327 (808-441-6361 for Japanese speakers), Text ALOHA to 77982 or visit TestWithTheBest.com today.

Please call 808-441-6327 (808-441-6361 for Japanese speakers), immediately for details.

Please consider getting involved, or, tell a friend who might want to participate for the first time (learn more about our referral program at www.testwiththebest.com)
We welcome and appreciate your involvement in clinical research.  To all our participants past, present and future, Thank You!
Sincerely,
Covance Clinical Research Unit

Of course, Menopause Goddesses don’t take much at face value (especially those of us of the Registered Nurse persuasion.) So I called these folks to find out just what they are testing. Because I would be compelled to add my two cents if this study were about antidepressants as a cure for the Pause or some other such “elephant gun to kill flies” strategy.

They are testing an osteoporosis medication, it turns out. Fair enough. They could not give me the other studies that have been done, potential side effects, or any other info “over the phone.” However, they did say that if I came in for screening, they could tell me any and all of this information. Sadly, though I am only 30 miles away, it might as well be 3000, since those miles are open ocean.

So if you should decide to participate, be sure to ask about previous studies and results, potential side effects and benefits, and so on. Read that investigational consent form carefully and thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.